Articles

Family Friday: Maintaining connection in the midst of a pandemic

Even though the world is unpredictable right now, children need to experience predictability within their family environment. There are many fun and playful opportunities to maintain the connection.

Storytime Saturdays with Mary Poppins (and Facebook)

Arizona Broadway Theatre is launching "Storytime Saturdays with ABT's Mary Poppins," a 30-minute storytime led by theater alum Renee Koher.

Artsy Thursday: Celebrate the joy and learning children experience when they engage in creativity

Editor’s note: April 13-17 is Week of the Young Child, an annual celebration hosted by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and AzAEYC celebrating early...

Work Together Wednesday: It takes teamwork to build a baby’s brain

Consistent, responsive, stable relationships with caring adults are the foundation for strong neural connections. Research shows these interactions support a child’s language and literacy development. Consider it an active, back-and-forth experience, like playing tennis.

COVID-19 poses added challenges to co-parenting and custody arrangments

Co-parenting in the time of COVID-19 has just become a whole new obstacle course. To help, the Arizona Supreme Court recently weighed in with a set of guidelines for co-parenting arrangements.

Tasty Tuesday: A cooking (and eating) story

Can kids learn from cooking shows? You bet they can. They can learn recipes, they can learn the value of family, they can learn they have hidden talents, they can learn to take risks, and so much more.

Celebrate National Park Week from home

The National Park Service is celebrating National Park Week, April 18-26 with virtual tours, scavenger hunts, trivia contests and junior ranger programs.

Wide Open School supports transition to learning from home

Common Sense Media's Wide Open School curates top-notch resources and information providers to offer parents and educators the best the internet can offer.

Music Monday: Use “shelter at home” time to make music memories!

As young children learn new songs, listen to music, and explore rhythmic patterns, broad neural pathways in the brain are engaged. Powerful memories of people, places and feelings are stored and linked to experiences and emotions through music.

Families get creative to observe, and celebrate, the spring holidays

It was a Passover Seder like never before for the Sacks family of Phoenix. In past years, the family has hosted this meaningful tradition in their own home, gathering loved ones around them. This year, the setting was Zoom video conferencing.

Celebrating Easter while social distancing

Easter 2020 won't be traditional, but it can still be special. Here are a few ideas for things you can do to create a memorable celebration.

High school student starts petition advocating pass/fail grading this semester

A Phoenix high school student has launched a petition asking Arizona Governor Doug Ducey to make sure grades for this semester follow a pass/fail model.

ASU launches no-cost digital learning tools for families

In order to support students and families during these challenging times, ASU has put together ASU for You, a library of resources to help keep all learners on track during the transition to remote learning.

What should Arizona schools do about GRADES?

Our survey results are in: Most parents, teachers and others involved in raising and educating Arizona kids prefer a flexible approach to grading students rocked by the COVID-19 crisis.

Unused computers can help Arizona students lacking tech tools at home

Nearly 100,000 computers are needed by Arizona students who have been forced to switch to online learning because of the COVID-19 pandemic. State Superintendent of...

Creative ways to indulge in the arts during the coronavirus crisis

The Valley's art scene has responded to the coronavirus crisis with its own creativity, making instruction, activities and inspiration available online — or in easy pickup packets — for children, and their grownups, too.

PARTY ARTICLES

Money Lessons from Birthday Parties

Teaching Kids the Value of Gifts & Gratitude Between the cake, balloons, and wrapping paper tornado, birthday parties are often all about fun, but they also provide the perfect opportunity to teach kids early lessons...

Time to Paw-ty

Celebrating your favorite furry friend Call me crazy, but when my husband and I adopted our first dog together, we threw her a birthday party complete with cake, streamers, guests, appetizers, games, and more. Was...

Unique Ways to Host a Joint Birthday Party

My brother and I have birthdays that are just one day apart—his on March 3rd, mine on March 4th, and our oldest brother just a few weeks later on March 21st. Fast forward 31 years...

Out-of-the-box Birthday Party Ideas in Phoenix & Tucson

Wanting to do something a little extra special for your child’s next birthday party? Maybe it’s a milestone birthday—like turning double digits or entering the teen years. Or perhaps your child has requested to...

Birthday Traditions & Clever Theme Ideas

Childhood birthdays are unlike any others. I have fond memories of waking up on my birthday morning anticipating all the fun that was in store. With three kids who had birthdays all in the same...

Out-of-the Box Birthday Party Ideas

Wanting to do something a little extra special for your child’s next birthday party? Maybe it’s a milestone birthday—like turning double digits or entering the teen years. Or perhaps your child has requested to...

Party Etiquette

Whether you’re hosting a party or attending one, you may be wondering—do people really RSVP anymore? What about goodie bags, are those still a thing? Do I need to stay with my child at...

How to Throw a Birthday Party that Won’t Break the Bank

I remember the days when birthday parties consisted of colorful balloons, streamers, a simple cake, and the classics like musical chairs and tag with a few friends. Times have changed and suddenly it feels necessary...

How to do a drive-by birthday party

As we get deeper into quarantine, people have gotten creative with birthday celebrations. One result: the drive-by birthday party.

Home pool party? Hire a lifeguard!

Drowning happens silently and quickly. That’s why children are at risk even when — and sometimes especially when — adults are nearby. Even a "designated pool watcher" can avert his or her eyes for a...

Hiking birthday party

For a child who loves adventure and outdoors, turn a hike into a birthday party.
Tour de Liam, Biking birthday party theme, bike race, outdoor activites, arizona parties

Bike race birthday party

When there are lots of neighborhood friends who love to ride their bikes together, host a birthday party that feels like an official bike race.

Island birthday party

Pool parties are popular in Arizona. Make a stylish upgrade at your next birthday party by incorporating décor and details that will transport guests from the desert to a tropical island paradise.

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